Jessie Diggins wins Kangaroo Hoppet 2022
Nearly 1,000 cross country skiers from 22 countries descended on Falls Creek today for the 30th staging of the Kangaroo Hoppet XC Ski Marathon.
Perfect weather and tracks greeted the skiers as they wound their way through the course from the Falls Creek Nordic Bowl across the Bogong High Plains.
Jessie Diggins ahead of her compatriots
The USA took out the men’s and women’s main 42 km events with Jessie Diggins and Peter Wolter making it a US double. Diggins positioned herself well in the lead pack on the tough Paralyser climb and was able to get a break on teammate Julia Kern as the skiers descended from the Bogong High Plains. Kern was able to put a good break on Casey Wright, third place, after Wright and Kat Paul battled hard for the final podium placing.
USA, New Zealand and Australia on men’s podium
In the men’s event, a large pack skied together for 10 km before Wolter put the foot down at the top of the course and was able to break the pack after 15km. Campbell Wright from New Zealand and Lars Young Vik from Australia battled for the minor placings before Wright was able to edge ahead of Vik coming into the finish.
In the 21 km women’s Pheobe Cridland, Heli Laajoki and Emily Champion took the podium places and Noah Bradford, Declan Bourke and Adam Bennet took out the podium in the men’s.
After a two-year hiatus due to COVID restrictions, it was great to have the Hoppet back on the international stage. Race Director, Ben Derrick, paid tribute to all the volunteers that come together for the event. “We have over 100 volunteers involved in staging the event that are made up of local skiers and non-skiers alike. After a couple of years of forced cancellation it was great to see the enthusiasm and passion that our community brings to the sport.”
The 30th staging of the Hoppet is an amazing achievement for all involved in the event. “The far-sighted and aspirational dreaming and planning from the Birkebeiner Nordic Ski Club in the late 80’s has really paid enormous dividends for the sport and the local community. It is a celebration of everyone who has been involved in the event”.
The Worldloppet series move on to New Zealand for the Merino Muster next week.
